Jennings O. Gainer, lineman first class, age 58, was fatally
injured at about 6:10 p.m. on September 12, 1995, when he
contacted an energized 4160 volt power conductor and was
electrocuted. The victim had a total of ten years, seven months
mining experience in this job with this company.

The MSHA Bartow, Florida, field office was notified of the
accident on the following day by a message left on the answering
machine. An investigation was started immediately.

The Ft. Green mine, an open pit phosphate operation, owned and
operated by IMC-Agrico Company was located east off State Road 37
about 15 miles south of Mulberry, Polk County, Florida. The
operating official was L. F. Turner, vice-president and general
manager. The mine and plant were normally operated three, 8-hour
shifts a day, 7 days a week. A total of 225 persons was employed.

The phosphate was mined by removing the overburden and placing
the material in adjacent mined out areas. The underlying matrix
was excavated by large draglines and deposited in shallow sumps
or wells where hydraulic guns broke up the material. The
resulting slurry was pumped through pipelines to a beneficiation
plant for washing, screening, sizing and flotation. The material
was put in storage bins, then loaded into railroad cars and
transported to chemical plants for further processing.

The last regular inspection of this operation was conducted
August 14-21, 1995. Employees had received training in
accordance with 30 CFR, Part 48. The victim had received annual
refresher training on April 10, 1995.

PHYSICAL FACTORS INVOLVED

The No. 4 matrix lift pump was being moved. This required that
the power line be extended and an additional pole be installed
near the pump. The accident occurred at the newly installed
power pole. The pump and power pole were located about 4000 feet
from the No. 716 electrical substation.

Electricity was received at 69,000 volts and reduced to 4,160
volts, three phase wye, resistance grounded at the No. 716
substation. The grounding resistor was rated at 48 ohms and
limited the ground fault current to 50 amperes.

Circuit "A" which supplied power for the No. 4 matrix lift pump,
consisted of three overhead bare conductors and a ground wire.
The circuit was protected by a breaker and knife blade
disconnects, located at the No. 716 substation.

At the newly installed power pole, three knife blade disconnects
were mounted on two ten foot long horizontal crossarms which were
eighteen inches apart. The lower crossarm was eleven feet above
ground level. The power lines were connected to the top of the
disconnect, which were open at the time of the accident.

The three single conductors, to be connected to the bottom of the
disconnects, were supported by a 2-inch nylon sling 3 feet long.

One end of the sling was attached to the conductors and the other
to a lag bolt in the pole about 18 inches below the lower
crossarm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT

On the day of the accident, Jennings O. Gainer, victim, reported
to work at 7:00 a.m., his regular starting time. He and his
co-worker were to install a pole and extend the power line for
the No. 4 matrix lift pump. Work progressed normally until about
5:50 p.m. At that time the installation was completed and the
power lines had been connected to the top of the disconnects.
Gainer drove the hydraulically operated bucket truck, which had
been used in the installation of the powerline, to the No. 716
substation. He then removed his grounding jumpers and tag, then
closed the disconnects above the circuit breaker.

Lee Barnes, electrical foreman, who was also at the substation,
instructed Gainer to return to the No. 4 matrix lift pump
location with the bucket truck to assist in connecting the
conductors to the bottom of the disconnects, since all that was
available at the pump was a six foot step ladder. Barnes then
closed the circuit breaker for Circuit A, energizing the power
line, and Gainer left the substation.

When Gainer arrived at the No. 4 lift pump, he parked his truck
and used the six foot step ladder to gain access to connect the
conductors to the disconnects. While standing on the ladder he
connected the ground wire and then attempted to pull himself up
by placing one foot on the supporting sling and the other on the
lower crossarm. It appeared that Gainer lost his balance,
grabbed the far left conductor above the knife blade disconnects
with his left hand and then fell from the pole.

The victims four co-workers who were at the scene immediately
administered CPR and used their radio to call for help. The
local rescue service arrived a short time later and Gainer was
transported to the Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was
pronounced dead on arrival.

CONCLUSION

The direct cause of the accident was failure to use safe access
from which to perform the work. Contributing to the severity of
the accident was the failure to de-energize and lock out the
electrical circuit before performing electrical work.

VIOLATIONS

Citation No. 4301371 was issued on September 27, 1995, under
provisions of Section 104(a) of the Mine Act for violation of
Standard 50.10:

A fatal accident occurred at this operation on September
12, 1995, at about 6:10 p.m. when an employee contacted
a 4160 volt power conductor. A message was left on the
local field office answering machine at 10:00 p.m. The
answering machine gives directions for an emergency to
call the District Office in Birmingham at (205) 290-7294.
There is also an 800 number listed in 30 CFR Part
50.10 that should be called if the appropriate MSHA
District Office cannot be contacted. Additionally, the
local field office supervisor's phone number is
available in the local telephone book. The operator made
no attempt to contact anyone other than the answering
machine.

The citation was terminated the same day after the
requirements of Standard 50.10 were discussed with the
operator.

Citation No. 4301372 was issued on September 27, 1995, under
provisions of Section 104(a) of the Mine Act for violation of
Standard 50.12:

A fatal accident occurred at this operation on September
12, 1995, at about 6:10 p.m. when an employee contacted
an energized 4160 volt power conductor. The accident
site had been altered prior to MSHA beginning/completing
an investigation. The ladder and tools used had been
removed from the site and the company had connected the
conductors and commenced production. Permission had not
been given by MSHA. The alterations were not necessary
for the rescue or recovery of an individual, or to
prevent or eliminate an imminent danger, or to prevent
destruction of mining equipment.

The citation was terminated the same day after the
requirement of Standard 50.12 was discussed with the
operator.

Citation No. 4301373 was issued on September 27, 1995, under
provisions of Section 104(a) of the Mine Act for violation of
Standard 56.12017:

A fatal accident occurred at this operation on September
12, 1995, at about 6:10 p.m. when an employee contacted
an energized 4160 volt power conductor. The employee
attempted to climb onto the crossarm of the power pole
at the No. 4 matrix lift pump, No. 8 dragline side in
order to connect the switchgear conductors to the knife
blade disconnects on the power pole crossarm. The power
circuit was not de-energized and locked out and hot line
tools were not being used.

Citation No. 4301374 was issued on September 27, 1995, under
provisions of Section 104(a) of the Mine Act for violation of
Standard 56.11001:

A fatal accident occurred at this operation on September
12, 1995, at about 6:10 p.m. when an employee contacted
an energized 4160 volt power conductor. The employee
attempted to climb onto the crossarm of the power pole
at the No. 4 matrix lift pump, No. 8 dragline side in
order to connect the switchgear conductors to the knife
blade disconnects on the power pole crossarm. Safe
access was not provided. A 6 foot fiberglass stepladder
leaned against the power pole had been used. The lower
crossarm was about 11 feet above the ground. A bucket
truck was available at the site but was not used.